Mokoshiji Temple, the world heritage site with Japan's oldest garden, the Jodo Garden [Iwate Prefecture]

Motsuuji Temple located in Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture , is a Tendai sect temple with its main image of Yakushi Nyorai statue, and is said to have been founded in 850 by Jikaku Daishi Ennin

said to be one of the temples that constitute the "Four Temple Corridors" that toured Dohiraizumi Chusonji Temple, which was founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, Tateishiji Temple in Yamagata Prefecture, and Zuiganji Temple in Miyagi Prefecture

Link: Michinoku Ancient Temple Pilgrimage “Four Temple Corridors”

Tendai sect temple founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin

Mokoshi-ji Temple is a Tendai sect temple founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, just like Chuson-ji Temple, in 850. The ruins of the Imperial Palace, attached to the grounds of Mokoshi-ji Temple, as a special historic site in the country, and the Mokoshi-ji Gardens are designated as special scenic spots.

In 2011, a World Heritage Site and Intangible Cultural Heritage Site, Chuson-ji Temple, Kanjizai-in Temple, Muryo-in Temple, and Mt. Kaneki, as one of the "architecture, gardens and archaeological ruins representing Hiraizumi - the land of Buddha (Pure Land)."

The Oshu Fujiwara clan was revived for two generations.

After its founding in 850, Motsuji Temple was destroyed by fire and fell into disrepair.

This the second generation of the Fujiwara clan , and many temples were built .

At that time, there were about 40 halls and 500 Zen booths, and there were also Kondo Halls, Auditoriums, Jogyo Hall, Nikai Somon, Bell Tower, Suikoku, and other halls, which were known as Enryuji Temple, and it is said that at the time it was large and spectacular, surpassing Chuson-ji Temple.

After the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, it received protection from the Kamakura shogunate and the Date clan.

After the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, it was protected by the Kamakura shogunate, but it suffered a fire again in 1226, and about 350 years later, in 1573, it also suffered a fire due to war, and for many years the foundation stone and foundation stone were destroyed. It seems that only .

Later, in the Edo period, it became a territory of the Sendai domain, and was protected by the Date clan, just like Chusonji Temple. When Date Masamune passed away, the Shaka Triad, the main deity of the time, was moved to Zuihoji Temple, where Masamune was founded as the family temple.

In the Meiji period, the main hall and kuri were rebuilt, and in 1921, the Otemon gate of Ichinoseki Castle of the Date Ichinoseki domain was relocated as the main gate.

Currently, the new main hall built in the Heian style in 1989 and the mid-Edo period Jogyo-do hall are just being built, but the vast grounds include a spacious state beach and Oizumigaike Pond with a splendid stone structure. is spreading.

The Gohonzon of Yakushi Buddha is accompanied by the attendants of Nikko Bodhisattva and Moonlight Bodhisattva. The "Ennen no Mai" is dedicated every year at Jogyodo, and along with the practice of Jogyo Sanmai, which has been held continuously since the temple's opening, it has been designated as an important intangible folk cultural property in the country.

Highlights of Motsuji Temple

The highlight of Mokoshi-ji Temple is located in the Jodo Garden, the oldest garden in Japan

The entire excavation of the garden over five years from 1954 revealed that Mokoshiji Temple Garden is a Jodo-style garden that was faithfully created in accordance with the secret book "Sakuniki," a garden construction book from the Heian period.

The Oizumi Pond and the following water were developed based on excavation surveys, and now, on the banks of the sea water, which are slowly snake-like, naturally creeping like a natural stream, a banquet of gaku water is being held, dressed in Heian costumes and sung by waka poetry.

There is a magatama-shaped island almost in the center of the wide pond, and there are three islands, one on the southeast coast of the pond and three on the south side. Cobblestones are laid around the gently curving pond and on the middle island, giving a coastal view to the water's edge.

At the tip of Dejima, a rock with an exquisite tilt, over 2m tall is set up at the tip of Dejima, a rock with an exquisite tilt, tightening the quiet surface of the water, making it an impressive scenery. Matsuo Basho who visited this place in 1689 Yoshitsune, who committed suicide in Takadate in 1189 "After the dream of summer grass and soldiers," and a monument to the horoscope is placed in the temple grounds.

Mokoshiji Temple <Information>

• Name: Motsuji Temple
• Address: 58 Hiraizumi Osawa, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate 029-4102
• Phone number: 0191-46-2331
• Official URL: https://www.motsuji.or.jp/

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